Thursday, October 12, 2023
Vacation day 3 of 11. Patrick and I broke fast at La Boulangerie. We each had yogurt and granola parfait and decaf with cream. The parfait is served in a banana split bowl rather than a cup, and it is delicious. When I asked where the restroom was a worker told me where and she called me sweetie. We stopped for groceries at Zara's Lil' Giant Supermarket & Po-boys then returned to our Airbnb. I wrote in my journal. Chris and Andy who woke a little later than us left for La Boulangerie and returned then departed again for a self-guided walking tour in the Garden District. At 11:00 a.m., Michele and family friend Greg picked up Patrick and me and drove us all to lunch at Katie's in MidCity: Bradbird pizza (marinara sauce, Italian sausage, pepperoni, ham and bacon) for Michele and Greg; Patrick and I shared fried green tomatoes with remoulade and a cochon du lait po boy. Iced tea all around. We Facetimed with Kristyn just before the food arrived then with Mom Ryan after the meal. All food and drink were delicious. They drove us back to the Airbnb and departed. Patrick rested, and I napped. Chris and Andy returned. We rode Lyft to the Bywater neighborhood with a driver who amused us with stories from his life. We explored on foot, visiting Crescent Park via Piety Crossing and seeing the nearby gardens and wharf. We crossed back and continued walking, randomly stopping for a round of happy hour drinks at JusTini's: one old fashioned and three French 75s. We loved the chandeliers and decor, the gold accents throughout, the messages on the walls. We chatted pleasantly with bartender Cassidy. We briefly met charming owner Jessica Robinson. Chris had a hot sausage taco. We paid and tipped, and I realized only later that an 18% tip is included automatically; we did not mind. We walked to dinner at Bywater American Bistro (aka BABS), which we chose after having a great experience in 2018 at sister restaurant Compère Lapin. We shared two appetizers: (a) blackened octopus with sweet potato coconut puree and (b) burrata with marinated tomatoes, soppresata, and grilled bread. Andy and I each had cavatelli with shrimp, rundown sauce, and soft herbs. Chris had chicken fra diavolo with semolina gnocchi. Patrick had wagyu beef lasagne with fontina fonduta. One round of drinks (La Nerthe, Francois Villard, Daou, and a Three Amigos). We enjoyed our meal. Service by Christian H to table 36 was excellent. We rode Lyft to The Vintage at 3121 Magazine Street and had six kinds of beignet for dessert: traditional plain, matcha cream, smores, pumpkin pie, raspberry, apples with brie. We enjoyed all the flavors. Rode Lyft to the Airbnb and slept soon after.